Cylinder
What is the cylinder?
In mathematics, a cylinder is a three-
dimensional solid that holds two parallel
bases joined by a curved surface, at a fixed
distance. These bases are normally circular in
shape (like a circle) and the center of the two
bases are joined by a line segment, which is
called the axis. The perpendicular distance
between the bases is denoted as the height
“h” of the cylinder and “r” is the radius of the
cylinder.
Examples
Some real-life examples of cylinder shape are
pipes, fire extinguishers, water tanks, cold-
drink cans, etc.
Properties of Cylinder
Every geometrical shape has its own
characteristics or some properties different
from the other figures. Similarly, let us learn
some of the properties of a cylinder shape
listed below:
A cylinder has one curved surface and two
flat faces which are identical.
The two circular bases are congruent to each
other.
Its size depends on the radius of the base
and the height of the curved surface.
Unlike a cone, cube, or cuboid, a cylinder
does not have any vertex. It means there is
no specific corner present in the cylinder.
The base and the top of the cylinder are
identical, i.e it has the same base — either
circular or elliptical.
Formulas of Cylinder
Every three-dimensional geometric figure has
2 major formulas, surface area, and volume.
Likewise, the cylinder has three major
formulas related to its surface areas and
volume.
Lateral surface area or Curved surface area
Total surface area
Volume
Worked Example: Britt wants to buy a can that can hold 1
gallon of oil. The radius of the can is 5 inches. Help Britt find
the height of the can she has to buy. Hint: The can is in the form
of a cylinder.
Solution:
Volume, V = 1 gallon
1 gallon = 231 cubic inches
Radius, r = 5 inches (given)
The volume of a cylinder, V = πr2hBy
substituting the values in the volume formula, we get,
231 = 22/7 × (5)2 × h(231 × 7)/(22 × 25) = hh = 2.94 inches
Therefore, the height of the can should be 2.94 inches.